Jig



Feb. 12, 1957 c. H. REMER 2,781,29

JIG

Filed March 9, 195s s sheets-sheet s DISCHARGE END mms/Toll CHARLES h. @EME/Q A TTORNEY;

United States Patent C Charles Renter, Hibbing, lVinn.

Application March 9, 1953, Serial No. 346,95@

16 Claims. (Cl. 2tlg-455) This invention relates to vibratory jigs for the separation of minerals and the like solid constituents of varying densities. More particularly, the invention relates to the separation of such material in aqueous phase for the recovery of minerals or beneiciation of mineral ores.

There are frequent instances in the mineral arts wherein a desired mineral of ore is found in nature in association with rock or other undesirable material, denoted gangue. V-/here the mineral or ore has a specific gravity differing considerably from the associated gangue, the separation and hence beneciation of the ore offer relatively little diculty. However, where the ore has a density only slightly different from the gangue, separation or beneficiation or the ore is much more diicult.

For edecting the beneiiciating of ores, the art has heretofore provided a variety of jigs. ln some of these the ore is handled in a dry condition, whereas in others the Ore is handled in a liquid phase. The jigs are customarily provided with mechanisms for imparting to the ore, and to the phase in which it is carried or suspended (wet or dry), a motion such that the particles of ore are separated from each other and thus by gravity (settling) the particles are permitted to locate themselves in one or more layers with the more desired fractions at certain layers and the less desired fractions in other layers.

lt is an object of the present invention to provide an improved jig for the beneciation of ores and more particularly to provide a jig having a substantially increased capacity and ability to beneficiate or improve the grade of ores.

lt is another object of the invention to provide a jig for beneiiciating iron ore by means of which the grade of the ore may be increased from 10% to 15% in iron content and -to provide a jig and jgging system for the beneliciation of iron ore having a substantially increased capacity.

lt is another object of the invention to provide an irnproved jig for the benetication of iron and similar ores capable of being readily adjusted so as to handle comparatively widely varying kinds and types of ores without rebuilding of the jig.

lt is another object of the 1mvention to provide an improved jig for the beneeation of ores, the jig being simple to construct, rugged, having very simple actuating mechanism and very low power requirements and low maintenance cost, and to provide a jig capable of being operated continuously at high capacity by relatively inexperienced help.

Other and further objects of the invention are those inherent in the apparatus herein illustrated, described and claimed.

The invention is illustrated with reference t the drawings in which corresponding numerals refer to the same parts and in which- Figure 1 is an end elevational view of a jig made in accordance with the present invention, as viewed from the delivery end.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the jig shown in 2,781,129 Patented Feb. l2, i957 Figure l, as viewed from the direction of arrows 2 2 of Figure l. ln Figure 2 the feeding end of the jig is shown at the left end and the delivery end at the right end.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken 'along the line and in the direction of arrows 3 3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of one form of foraminous bed used in the jig of the present invention, showing the same loaded with iron balls.

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view corresponding to Figure 4 and showing an alternative form of foraminous bed loaded with balls.

Figure 6 is a composite vieu showing at its left side a transverse sectional view near the feeding end of the jig along the section line 6 6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a sectional View showing at the right side a corresponding vertical sectional view at the delivery end of the jig along the line and in the direction of arrows 7 7 of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a plan View of the rubber diaphragm used in the exemplary form of jig shown in the drawings.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic side elevational View showing a battery of jigs used in sequence for the continuous beneficiation of iron ore.

Before describing in detail the construction of the improved jig as exemplified by the drawings, Figures l-9, it may be stated that the improved form of jig of this invention has been developed by me specifically for the beneciation of iron ores, more particularly low grade iron ore, such as hematite, limonite, taconite having a size range from l inch down to 325 mesh.

Accordingly, the size' and shape of the jig, together with the' specifically illustrated forms of foraminous sheet, shape and number of hutches, feeding and delivering chutes and wiers, may be Itaken as exemplary of good forms for use in the treatment of iron ore. However, in the treatment of other ores, even some other iron ores, these portions of the jig may and shall be varied so as to meet particular conditions. Therefore, while a specific form of jig is illustrated, it must be understood that the improvements hereinafter described are as applicable in general to jigs having a foramin-o'us bed, one -or more bottom hutches for the handling of ores in aqueous or other liquid phases.

With this understood, reference should be made to the drawings, Figures l-9.

Referring specifically to Figures l, 2 and 3, the jig comprises a base frame generally designated l0 composed of cross sills 11 and side rails 12. ln the mill this cross frame is supported on suitable framework in proper elevation and position so as to form one of the battery of jigs used in the process, see Figure 9. Upon the bottom frame there are mounted a plurality of posts l5 that may be braced by angle braces lr6, the posts in turn being capped and support a rectangular frame i7. This frame is preferably made of an angle section so as to present a at flange surface i8 which is rectangular in plan.

Upon the llange 18 there is positioned a rubber diaphragm generally designated Ztl, as shown in Figure 8. Thus, it has sides 20A and ZtlB and ends 26C and 29D. The diaphragm is provided with a plurality of rectangular openings,l corresponding in size and position to the par ticular number and shape of hutches or hoppers which are supported below these openings, In the exemplary form of jig there are three hutches, two large and one small and to provide for connection with these there are provided the openings 2, 22 and 23 in diaphragm 20. The diaphragm is attached to the flange l outside the dotted line 18A and the diaphragm is accordingly supported entirely around its outer rim. As will presently be shown the three hutches are attached'to the edges of the openings 2, 22 and 23. In addition, the diaphragm is supported along the line 24 by a cross brace 25 of T-section having the web of the T extending up and capped with a rubber edging 26. The cross brace 25 is attached at opposite ends to the outer rectangular frame 17 and the rubber edging 26 thus rests against the under side of the diaphragm 20 along the line 24. As will presently be shown the upper portion of the jig is provided with a cross panel at 27 which extends down and at the bottom is provided with a similar rubber edging 28 that presses down on the upper surface of the diaphragm, along the line 24. In this way the diaphragm 20 is clamped along the line 24 entirely across the diaphragm-between the openings 21 and 22. A similar T-bar 29 and cross frame panel 30 each equipped with a rubber edging as at 31 for the T-bar and 32. for the member 30, provide for the support and clamping of the diaphragm along the line 34 between the hutch openingsr 22 and 23.

Above the level of the exible diaphragm 20 there is a frame box generally designated 35. This is rectangular in shape and has a stilening angle 36 all the Way around, the lower ange of which mates with and serves as a clamping flange for attaching the'edge of the flexible diaphragm 20 by means of a plurality of fastening bolts 33. The box is provided with another fastening flange Vat 37. The inlet end of the foraminous sheet 40 and box 35 is at a higher elevation than the discharge end, the grade or inclination being from 0.5 to 1.5 inches per foot of length of sheet 40. Grades of 0.555 inch per foot and 0.75 inch per foothave given good results. Within the box 35 are a plurality of longitudinal plates, vertically yarranged and shaped as shown in Figures 6 and 7. f These plates 41 through 47 have a vertical section which varies in width from the widest portion at the inlet end to a minimum portion at the outlet end, and the lower edges of these plates are bent angularly so as to point generally to the bottom of the hutches 101, 102 and 103 which will subsequently be referred to. In addition, the frame 35 has several transverse dividers. Of these the dividers 27 and 30 have previously been referred to. These dividers are notched so as to be mortised through the longitudinal plates 41-47. lnaddition, there are provided the dividers 43 and 49 which are likewise longitudinally notched so as to be mortised into the members 41 through 47. The entire frame structure 35 is welded into an integral whole.

To the upper reinforced top flange 37 there is bolted the bottom flange of the superstructure of the jig. This superstructure likewise is of box form 51 having side walls 52 and 53, discharge end wall 54 and an inlet end wall 55. The inlet end wall 55 is provided with an opening 56 to which the inlet chute structure 60 is attached. The chute structure has an intermediatewall 6l,Y an intermediate bottom 62, the intermediate wall being provided with an opening at 64 and a slanting downward portion 65. The bottom of the chute is yalso slanting at 66. The inow of ore to be graded is in the direction of arrow 63 and it drops into the pocket 69 formed between the wall 55 and the intermediate wall 61-62 and after swirling in this pocket passes in the direction of arrow '70 through the opening 64 and then in the direction of arrow 71 downwardly through the passage between the false bottom 62 `and the slanting bottom 66 and thence through the opening Y56 into the jig. It may bevstated parenthetically that for handling granular material such as ores that it is preferable to have a plurality of inlet spouts as at 72, Figure l, so as to distribute the incoming material as evenly as possible over the width of the inlet chute and thus permit a more perfect distribution over the width of the inlet opening 56 of the jig.

The discharge end 54 is provided with an opening 74 provided with nuts 79 for adjusting the plate 76 up and down, thereby to permit raising or lowering the effective level of the discharge opening 74. The plate 76 and l opening 74 thus serve as a vertically adjustable wier through which desired heavy ore is discharged down the chute 75.

Closely adjacent the discharge end of the jig there is provided a tailings trough structure generally designated S0. The tailings trough has a downstream wall 81 and an upstream wall 82 spaced from each other. The lower edges of the walls 82 and 81 are straight and of the height 82A for wall 82 and the height 81A for the wall 81. A bottom wall 84 'joins these two lower edges 81A and 82A. In addition, the tailings trough has a false bottom slanting downwardly from the middle as shown in dotted lines at 85A and 85B, Figure l, Iand these false bottoms terminate at apertures in the side Walls 52 and 53 of the upper structure. One such aperture at the left side of the jig (as viewed from the discharge end) is shown at 86 in Figure 2 and there is a corresponding opening on the opposite side of the jig. The upper edge 82B of the plate 82 forms a wier over which the tailings pass and the tailings then How downwardlyV on the sloping false bottoms 85A and 85B and pass through the openings of which one is shown at 86, Figure 2, in opposite side walls of the jig and are thence delivered by the tailings chutes 88-88, Figure l. To assist the flow Vof said tailings there is provided a water pipe at'89 having nozzles 89A and 89B directed down the sloping false bottoms 85A and 85B of the chute. These nozzles are located about the middle of the tailings chute bottoms and materially assist in the downward ow of the tailings.

At the level of anges 37 and 50, which join the rectangular frame 35 and the upper structure 5l, there is located a foraminous sheet generally designated 40 which may be composed of diverse materials. An ordinary plate having holes punched in it is suitable, as is also wire cloth andk special punched plates. It is desirable, for purposes of this invention, that the foraminous bottom 40 shall be covered with several layers of balls of iron, as illustrated at 90 and in order Y V sion of lthe upper box 51, and are then welded in place and a delivery chute downwardly from the opening.

Immediately inside the wall 54 there is provided a wier plate 76 having bolts 77 at its opposite ends. The bolts pass upwardly through corner gusset plates *'78 and are and to each other, the anges 92 then serving not only to stiften the foraminous bottom but also as the transverse walls 91 that serve to hold the balls 90 in place.

Another form of bottom is shown in Figure 5 in which illustration there is provided la bottom plate 94 having holes 94A.punched in it. Across the plate there are then welded strips of lsteel which form the walls 91-91. Woven wire cloth may also be used, but I prefer steel plate having sized apertures punched therein, both because ofease of mechanical assembly, freedom from vibration, load carrying ability and wearing quality.

Through my experiments kI have foundthata layer of balls approximately two and one-half times the diameter of the balls in thickness is desired. It will be appreciated that the upper level of the layer will undulate, that all of the balls will not lie in perfect register, but will average out at about two and one-half diameters deep. l have also found in my experimentsV that through a bed of balls on an apertured plate, particles of ore will pass which have a maximum size of about one-fourth to one-third the diameter of the balls themselves. Accordingly, the foraminous plate 40 is provided with holes of a size such that the size ofV ore particles passing downwardly through the multiple layer of balls will then passY diameter of about :ya inch theywould pass ore particles of around @is inch size maximum, in whichV case the apertures in the foraminous plate 40 would be approximately @i6 inch size.

Referring to Figure 3 the support of the flexible' diaphragm 20 has previously been mentioned. The diaphragm serves as a flexible closure to the upper edges of a plurality of vertically oscillatable bins, which in this art are called hutches, these bins or hutches being illustrated generally at 101, 102 and 103. It may be stated that more or less numbers of hutches may be used in the jig, three being here illustrated, with the third hutch 103 of relatively small dimension (in a direction longitudinally of the jig) and it is located under the discharge end. The dividing wall formed by the T -bars 25, plate 27 and the T-bar 29 and the plate 30 serve to direct the ilow downwardly (and upwardly) through the foraminous plate 40 to and from the hutch. The hutches have the shape shown in Figures l and 3, being slanted downwardly to the apex 160 of hutch 101, apex 10d of hutch 102 and the apex 105 of hutch 103. A delivery aperture 105 of hutch 101 is provided at the apex and similar delivery apertures are provided at 107 and 108 for the remaining hutches. In addition, near the lower or apex end of the hutches there are provided external frames at 99 having a bottom plate 109 for the hutch 101 and a similar frame 110 for hutch 102 and a bottom plate adequately braced at 112 for the hutch 103. These bottom plates are provided as mountings and attachments by means of which the apparatus for vertical oscillation of the hutches may be attached.

It may be noted that the upper part of` each of the hutches is provided with a stiffening and attaching external angle flange by means of which it is' bolted to the inner edge of its aperture, as illustrated. Thus, for hutch 101 there is an external angle 113 bolted at 114 through the hold-down plate 115 to the inner edge ef the aperture 21. Similar attachment is made of the upper end of each of hutch 102 and of hutch 1133 to the inner edges of the apertures 22 and 23, respectively.

For supporting them against lateral displacement a mechanism is provided as shown in Figure l. The mechanism consists of a downwardly extending bracket composed of spaced plates 116-116 that are attached to the plate 117. The plate 117 is in turn bolted at 118 to the plate 139. A transverse ilexible member 120 is bolted between the plates 117 and 103 and a longitudinal flexible member 121 extending from hutchV to hutch is likewise bolted between the plates 117 and 109. At the upper part of the hutch there is provided a perch 124 against which a steel spring 125 presses upwardly. The spring has multiple leaves and is attachedat its ends to the angle iron The springs 125 are provided so as to take part of the weight of the hutch and also to provide longitudinal and lateral stability against movement of the upper part of the hutch out of alignment with the opening, such as o ening 21 in the rubber diaphragm. Each of the hutches is similarly provided with a spring or transverse flexible brace at its upper end'. Thus, for the hutch 103 the transverse member 127 may be made of flexible' wood since this hutch, being of relatively small size, is of relatively light weight and no additional lift is required to be provided for it; The springs 125, strip 12.7, strips 120-120 and strip 121 serve to stabilize the hutches against lateral displacement while still permitting up and down movement. Strain on diaphragm 20 and the vertical oscillating mechanism (to be described) is accordingly avoided. As shown in Figure 3 each of the hutches is provided at its bottom with a plate for hutch 101, 110 for the hutch 102 and plate 112 for the hutch 103, and each is provided at its bottom with an operating plate as at 117 for hutch 101, 123 for the hutch 102 and at 133 for the hutch 103. These operating plates are similar to the plates 117 and therefore only one need be described. The pairs of plates 117-109; 123-110 and 113-112 serve as clamping plates for'strips 120-120--12L The outer ends of strips 12% at opposite sides of the unit are anchored on frame members 15A-15A that are in turn mounted on the nearest of the corner legs 15'-15. The strips 120 are free to flex up and down enough to accommodate the relatively slight oscillatory movements (about l inch maximum) of the hutches, but the strips hold the hutches from sideways movement.

It may be noted parenthetically that all hutches 101, 102, 1213 are moved up and down in unison.

Referring to the hutch 101 the plate 117 which is bolted through the flexible strips and 121 to the plate 109 (by bolts not shown) has downwardly extending ears 116 that serve as a support for a pivot bolt 126 upon which there is in' turn pivoted a single-tree lever 153. While not necessarily so, it is preferred that the pin 126 be in the middle of the lever 153, but it may be placed oif center, if desired. That is to say, one end of the lever may be longer than the other. The levers 153 and their drive connections from the eccentrics on the shafts are similar. Therefore, only one need be described. Thus, each of the levers 153 as shown in Figure l has two ends, one of them being 153A having an outer pivot pin 131 and the other 153B having an outer pivot pin 132. The pin 131 serves as a pivot junction for the upper end of the connecting rod 129 that has a lower enlarged bearing running upon the eccentric 134 that is attached t0 and rotates with the shaft 135, the shaft 135 being in turn supported in the bearing blocks 149. The bearings 149 are mounted `on the lower frame members 11'. Similarly, the pivot 132 serves as a pivotal attachment to the upper end of the connecting rod that has an enlarged lower bearing running on the eccentric A0, the eccentric being Y mounted on the shaft 141. The shaft 141 is in turn supported in the bearings 150. The bearings 150 are likewise mounted on frame members 11'. The shafts 135 and 141 are arranged to be driven preferably independently at different speeds and at variably adjustable speeds. Various types of drives may be used. Thus, there may be used a geared motor, the motor being of variable speed, or a constant speed motor may be used with a variable gear drive. A separate drive is illustrated for each of the shafts and 141, but one motor may be used with the necessary drive connections to shafts 135 and 141 to provide for adjustment of the speed of the shaft and also for providing a' much lower -speed of rotation for one shaft. l prefer to use separate motors since this allows a random timing of the impulses imposed by one power system as compared to the impulses imposed by the other. Thus, in the illustrated form, the shaft 135 is provided with a pulley 135 that is driven through the belt 143 by the variable speed geared motor 137. rl`hus, by varying the speed of the motor 137 the shaft 135 may be driven at varying rates of speed. A similar drive is provided for the shaft 141 from the pulley 142 which is driven through the belt 144 by the variable speed geared motor 145.

One of the shafts and the eccentrics mounted on it is made to run at a substantially higher speed than the other. The particular speeds chosen may be varied for `different types of ore being operated upon. Likewise, the amount of eccentricity of the eccentrics on one shaft may likewise be varied in respect to the eccentricity of the eccentrics on the opposite shaft. lt may be noted parenthetically that all of the eccentrics lon one shaft have the same angular setting and also the same lift (or eccentricity) so that all of the connecting rods driven by one shaft are moved up and down at precisely the same speed and amount. in this way all of the hutches are simultaneously moved up and down at a given amplitude and periodicity, by one shaft and simultaneously moved up and down at another amplitude and periodicity by the otherV shaft.

Where the single-trees 153 have the pivot pin 126 `in the middle,` the eccentrics 134 on shaft 135 should have an eccentricity of 1A to 3A inch and the shaft should be run at a speed varying from 100 to 200 R. P. M., preferably in the range of 140-170 R. l. M. There is accordingly imposed upon the pins 126 a vertical sinusoidal oscillatory motion M3 to :Vs inch maximum movement from a neutral position and a periodicity of 100 to 200 cycles per minute, preferably 140 to 170 cycles per minute. The eccentrics 140 on shaft 141 have an eccentricity of 1/6 to Mt inch and shaft 141 is driven at a speed varying from 200 to 1000 R. P. M., preferably 700 to 800 R. P. M. 1n this exemplary mechanism there is accordingly superimposed upon the motion of pin 126 additional sinusoidal vertical oscillation having a maximum amplitude from a neutral position of lyg to 1/s inch and a periodicity of 200 to 1000 cycles per minute, preferably 700 to 80() cycles per minute.

' For example, in the beneficiation of iron ore of one inch to 325 mesh size, eccentrics 134 on shaft 135 provided a lift of 1%: inch and shaft 135 was run at 155 R. P. M. and eccentrics 140 on shaft 141 had a lift of 1/16 inch and shaft 141 was run at 700 to 800 R. P. M. Sheet 40 had W16 inch holes. Balls 90 were inch and about 2l/2 inches deep. With a set-up as in Figure 9, an increase in grade of to 15% (iron content) was achieved and the tonnage was 2 to 3 times as much as with a single eccentric jig. Y

1n the drawings the amount of eccentricity of the eccentries 134 and 140 is exaggerated for purposes of clarity.

1n operation a plurality of jigs are used as shown in Figure 9. Thus, there may be provided a preliminary jig generally designated 201 where rough separation is initially made, some of the material being hutched ol through the hutch 202. The incoming ore 203 is thus separated into two discharge streams at 204 and 205. The ore at 204 is delivered into the inlet hopper of the second jig 210 and this jig, being of the type herein illustrated, has three hutches, a discharge trough and a tailings discharge. From the tailings trough there is discharged the ow 211 and this is discarded. The ow from each of the three hutches is combined at 212 and with the ow 213 from the discharge nozzle is introduced into the entrance hopper 214 yof the. second jig 215. This jig is the same as jig 210, having three hutches, the ow from which and the ow from the discharge end, all combined at 216 and delivered into the inlet hopper 217 of the iinal jig 218. The discharge from the tailings trough is conveyed at 219 back to and is introduced into the preliminary jig 201. The iinal jig 218 likewise has three hutches and the ow through the hutches and through the discharge gate is combined at 220, as the final beneiiciated product, Whereas the flow from the tail.` ings gate at 221 is likewise carried back to the preliminary jig 201.

Referring to the jig shown in Figures l, 2, 3 and 9, in operation inlet flow of ore to be beneticiated is at 68 through theV entrance hopper 60 and is distributed asuniformly as possible over the width of the jig. A total flow of about 385 gallons to 50G gallons per minute is required for an ore feed of 50 tons to 1GO tons per hour. Some of the total water flow enters along with the ore through box 60, or may be added Vnear the inlet end. This is called top water. Some of the total water flow may be added through inlets 160--161 into the hutches. The latter ilow is called back Water and is useful in loosening up a hutch or the bed over the hutch, and for controlling the hutching action. The water ills and ore lls the entire jig, some passing through the foraminous plate 40 and through the layers of balls 90, box 35 and illls the hutches 101, 102 and 103. The discharge openings 106, 107 and 108 of the hutches 101, 102 and 103 are left open but the size of the opening may be regulated so as somewhat to control the downward flow of liquids and solids, in slurry form, through each hutch. As previouslyrstated, in the separation of iron ore ranging in size from l inch down to 325 mesh, consisting of hematite, limonite or taconite material, the ore passing downwardly in the direction of arrow 71 enters the upper box 51 and therein forms a layer which gradually slants down Vas along the level of the vdotted line 226. in such a jig the transverse members 91 are approximately two inches high and the layer of balls takes up a space of approximately` 11A: to 1% inch atthe bottom, the balls being from l/z to 3%; inch in diameter. The vertical oscillations of these utches provide a pulsating up and down motion through the foraminous sheet 40 and as a result some of the ner coarser ore passes downwardly into the hutches successively and is therefrom discharged. At the same time the larger coarser particles settle and the lighter ore rises, being separated by an intermediate zone. The total depth of the bed from the foraminous layer 40 to the line 226 is approximately 8% inch total. The lighter portions Ypass into the tailings trough 80 and are discharged fromY the tailings trough, and either discarded or reworked according to the position of the jig in the plan shown in Figure 9. The larger size heavier particles of ore pass downwardly below the edge 82A of the wall 32 and thence upwardly along the slanting wall S4 of the tailings trough and rising kas shown by the dotted lines 223 pass over the adjustable gate 76 of the discharge opening 74 and hence pass out of the discharge trough 75.

1t may be stated that by use of my improved jigs it is possible to increase the grade of iron ore from l0 to 15 percentage points of iron content. Thus, an iron ore originally assaying 40% iron content, may be increased to a content of to 55% and the tonnage rates are approximately two to three times the rate for jigs of equal area operated by a single eccentric motion.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the specific embodiments herein.

What I claim is:

l. An improved jig forseparating ore and the like materials Y of different specific gravities comprising a slanted bed having a foraminous bottom and walls therearound, a delivery chute at the elevated portion of said bedV and a discharge chute at the lower portion of said bed, said bed having a layer of balls of heavy material thereon, an enclosure below said bed, said enclosure being adapted to be filled with a liquid, oscillating means operatively associated with said enclosure for moving the liquid upwardly and downwardly through said bed, said means including two eccentric mechanisms'for operating said oscillating means, separate and independent drive means for said eccentric mechanisms whereby said mechanisms are adapted for simultaneous operation, each of said drive Y means being operative at a different speed, one of said eccentric mechanisms being adapted when driven at one speed to impose on the liquid a high amplitude low frequency oscillation, the other of said mechanisms being adapted when driven at a different speed to impose an independent and simultaneous low amplitude high frequency ocsillation.

2. An apparatus forseparating granular materials of varying densities'while carried in a liquid media cornprising an open topped impervious frame having a foraminous sheet forming a bottom therein, said sheet being supported so as to extend at a slight angle downwardly from one end to the other of the frame, an inlet gate for deliveringthe material being separated at the more elevated portion of said foraminous sheet and an outlet gate positioned on the wall of said frame and above said foraminous sheet adjacent the lowermost portion of said sheet and forming an outlet wier, a plurality of dividers extending from one side to the other across the frame, above said foraminous sheet, anda layer of heavy balls of material on said sheet, said balls being of such a diameter that they do not pass through the openings in said sheet, the walls of, said frame extending downwardly below said sheet, a closed bottom hutch below said formainous sheet and connected to the frame by a flexible liquid tight joinder so as to allow said hutch to be moved upwardly and downwardly from a median position and oscillating means for moving said hutch upwardly and downwardly, said oscillating means including a first mechanism operable at a frequency of 100 to 200 cycles per minute and having an oscillatory motion such that it moves the hutch up and down from its median position an amplitude of 1A to @A inch, and a second mechanism having a frequency of operation of 200 to i000 cycles per minute and having an amplitude such that it moves the hutch up and vdown from 375,2 to 1A inch, said hutch having an outlet below the level of said foraminous sheet.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 further characterized in that said lirst and second mechanisms each comprises a rotatable shaft having means thereon connected to said hutch for oscillating said hutch.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further characterized in that a plurality of hutches are provided in spaced relation side by side across the bottom of said frame and forming together a closure therefor, said hutches each being in the form of a shape of decreasing cross section and having an outlet at the bottom, the upper end of said hutches being connected by means of a flexible diaphragm to said frame and means between the spaced hutches for supporting the diaphragm, said means forming a divider between said hutches below said foraminous sheet and transversely of the frame.

5. An apparatus for beneticiating ore comprising a rectangular frame, a foraminous sheet forming a divider between the top and the bottom of said frame, said sheet being supported so it extends at a slight angle downwardly from one end of said rectangular frame tothe other, an inlet sluice into the frame adjacent the more elevated end of said foraminous sheet, an opening on the opposite end of said frame forming a discharge wier, said opening being above the level of said foraminous sheet, a plurality of dividers at spaced intervals extending across said frame and immediately above said foraminous sheet and layers of balls of heavy material in the spaces between said dividers and resting on said foraminous sheet, said balls being of such a size that they are held on the forarninous sheet, at least one open top hutch having an area decreasing in the downward direction and an outlet adjacent the bottom thereof, a flexible diaphragm connecting the top of the hutch to the frame so as to form with the frame a sealed chamber below the level of said foraminous sheet, spring means for supporting the hutch against lateral displacement longitudinally or transversely in respect to the rectangularframe, and oscillating means for moving the hutch up and down from a median position, said means including a pair of shafts connected to the frame and positioned below it and extending longitudinally in respect to the frame opposite the center line of the frame, each of said shafts having an eccentric thereon, a connecting link mounted so as to be oscillated up and down by said eccentric and a single-tree connected to the top of the connecting links and connected to the hutch for moving the hutch upwardly and downwardly in response to the movement of the links due to the rotation of said eccentrics, adjustable speed means for rotating the shafts and the eccentrics thereon independently at different rates of speed, one of said shafts being rotated at a speed in the range of 100 to 200 R. P. M. and the other of said shafts being rotated at a speed in the range of 200 to 1000 R. P. M.

6. An apparatus of the type described in claim 5 further characterized in that the eccentric on the shaft rotated at the slower speed has an eccentricity such that it imparts to the hutch a vertical movement in the range of 1A to 3%; inch, and said eccentric on the shaft rotated at the higher speed has an eccentricity such that it imparts to the hutch a vertical oscillatory motion ofi/$2 to 7s inch.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized in that a plurality of hutches are provided below the foraminous sheet and connected to the frame by means of said exible diaphragm so that said hutches and said exible diaphragm together form a closure across Athe bottom of the frame, and a plurality of eccentrics and links driven thereby and single-trees are provided, one for each hutch for simultaneously moving all hutches up and down.

8. A rectangular frame open at the top and the bottom, means for supporting said frame in a horizontal position, a foraminous sheet mounted on said frame so as to extend at a slight incline lengthwise of said frame,

a plurality of bars transversely of the .frame above theV foraminous sheet and forming dividers, a plurality -of layers of heavy balls supported on said foraminous sheet between said bars forming dividers, a plurality of plate members extending longitudinally of the frame beneath said frame in substantially parallel relation, the upper edges of said plate members being in contact with the foraminous sheet for supporting the same, a diaphragm across the bottom of the frame, said diaphragm having a plurality of apertures therein, conical hutches having the large base of each conical hutch at the top and attached to the diaphragm around the edges of the apertures, means below the frame for supporting the conical hutches against longitudinal or lateral displacement and at least two shafts extending longitudinally of the frame, eccentric means on each of said shafts connected to each of the hutches for independently oscillating the hutches in response to rotation of the shafts, means for independently rotating the shafts at diverse speeds, all of said eccentric means on one shaft being aligned so that all.

hutches are moved up and down simultaneously in response to rotation of that shaft, all of the eccentric means on the other shaft being likewise aligned so that all of the hutches are moved up and down simultaneously in response to rotation of said shaft, said eccentric means on one shaft having an eccentricity such that the hutch is moved up and down from a median position an amount ranging rom 1%: to :M inch, said eccentric means on the other shaft having an eccentricity such that the hutches are moved up and down froma neutral position by an amount ranging from 1/32 to 1/s inch, means for driving the shaft having eccentric means producing the larger hutch motion at a speed in the range of to 200 R. P. M. and means for driving the other shaft at a speed ranging from 200 to 1000 R. P. M.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further characterized in that said supporting plates below the forarninous sheet which are spaced from the longitudinal center line of the frame, are bent towards the center line an amount to align said bent portion approximately with the apex of the conical hutches.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 further characterized in that means is provided on the frame for supporting the diaphragm between the hutches.

l1. In a jig having a horizontal frame having an open bottom and top and a foraminous sheet thereacross, said frame being closed at the bottom by a hutch which is connected by uid tight connection to the frame, the improvement comprising means for oscillating the hutch up and down from a neutral position along a vertical path, said means comprising a rst mechanism for oscillating the hutch up and down from 1;/4 to 3% inch from said neutral position at a periodicity of 100 to 200 cycles per minute and a second mechanism for simultaneously moving the hutch up and down from a neutral position 37?;2 inch to s inch at a periodicity of 200 to 1000 cycles per minute.

l2. Means for imparting a plurality of oscillations of diierent amplitudes and frequencies to a hutch or the like comprising a pair of rotatable shafts carried adjacent said fhutch, an eccentric on each of said shafts to rotate therewith, the eccentric on one of said shafts having a greater lift than the eccentric on the other of said shafts, a connecting link on each of said veccentrics, a single-tree joining said eccentrics, and means Vconnecting said single-tree to said hutch for moving the latter in response to the movements of the eccentrics, said shaftsbeing rotatable at different speeds relative to each other to impart separate oscillations of different frequencies and amplitudes to said hutch. i

13. Means for imparting a plurality of oscillations to a hutch .or't'he like comprising a pair of rotatable shafts carried adjacent said hutch, at least one eccentric on each of said shafts, the eccentric on one of said shafts having a greater lift than the eccentric on the other of said shafts, means for connecting each of said eccentrics to said hutch for moving the latter in response to the movements of the eccentrics, said shafts being rotatable to impart separate oscillations of different amplitudes to said hutch.

14. Means for imparting a plu-rality of oscillations of differentV amplitudes and frequencies to the hutch of an ore jig or the like comprising a pair of rotatable shafts carried adjacent said hutch, an eccentric on each of said shafts, the eccentric on one of said shafts having a greater lift than the eccentric on the other of said shafts, means for connecting each of said eccentrics to said hutch for moving the latter in response to the movements of the eccentrics, said shafts being rotatable at different speeds relative t0 each other torirnpart oscillations of different frequencies and amplitudes to said hutch simultaneously.

l5. In a jig having a fluid compartment in which ore is to be stratified, said compartment having movable means associated therewith Y to lcause the uid therein to be moved, the improvement comprising means for oscillating the fluid up and down from a neutral position along a substantially Yvertical path in a plurality of simultaneous oscillations of different amplitudes and frequencies, said means comprising at least two independently rotatable shafts, an eccentric carried onk each of said shafts, the eccentric on one shaft being of different lift than the eccentric on the other shaft, means connecting said eccentrics to said movable means, and means to rotate said shafts Iand eccent-rics at different speeds to cause the simultaneous oscillation of said fluid Within said compartment by said movable means in at least two different amplitudes and frequencies. Y Y

16. Means for imparting a plurality of oscillations of r different amplitudes and frequencies to the hutch of an ore jig or the like comprising an eccentric for each of said amplitudes, rotatable shafts for Vcarrying said eccentrics,

means for connecting each of said eccentrics to said hutch for moving the latter in response to the movements of the eccentrics, one of said eccentrics and the means for connecting it to said hutch being constructed so as to impart to said hutch a greater amplituderof oscillation than that imparted by the other eccentric and the means for connecting said other eccentric to said hutch, said shafts being rotatable at different speeds relative to each other to impart oscillations of different frequencies and amplitudes to said hutch simultaneously.

2,039,613 Storsand May 5, 1936 Wood Nov. 29, 1938k 

